wow man, we just can't get enough of ladakh journeys...I've been there but every travelogue tells me that I have missed out so much..need to get back soon. Let the pics & text flow just like your CBR

Outstanding pics ,hope u finished entire writeup in your lappy keep going

Awesome start and super pics ... eagerly waiting for more.

me too
Mein herz brennt = my heart burns - from the song by rammstein...

thanks bro-

going slow on this one..

write up is finished. its the pics being delayed and the punctuation's :P

here u go bro...


thank you all for the patience...

log rolls on






Day 4 Ride to Bathal and then to Chandratal.




We got up folded the tent loaded the bikes and then started the ride to Bathal by about 8.00 am reached there in about 9.00 had tea , talked with few guys and foreigners we me the Dhaba there.





the road to bathal.. spiti valley is opening up wide here..



reached bathal


I was delighted to know that the camping at chandratal was awesome from the foreigners who trekked all the way to the lake from the Kunzum pass. Especially the enchanted Chezch Lady who expressed her experience of the night sky @ chandratal.


We got the bull the fuel it needed from there though it was tad expensive, but we were delighted to find some even at that price.






Now it was time for us to ride to explore the Glacial lake of Chandratal where the legendry apsara's danced according to Myths.


Shot of to the diversion that pointed 12 kms ahead to chandratal from the other path leading to the spiti valley road to Kaza via Kunzum pass.


The road was no existent, it was sandy rocky patch with shard gravel and chisel like rocks and the final upward slope was so sandy that one cannot open the visor and ride following another vehicle be it a bike. Got to the parking place where the vehicle entry limit to chadratal, talked with few guys who were already there. A bunch of Punjabi guys on a Mahindra Thar, a group from Israel, few families and a gang of bachelors from Banglore. We ordered for a super strong coffee for each of us and took pour own time to relax. I was all set to explore, but my camping buddies went to take a look at the lake, so waited for em. Now it was time for us to set up the tents, so unloaded all the luggage, found a nice plain area to set up the tents. Cleaned the area, made the tents one by one, unloaded all the luggage in them, locked it and took the cam, tripod & water bottles out. We then went along the northern edge of the lake to see the glacier end from the top of the hill.



chandratal








few panorama shots..




The climb was steep but it was worth the effort as the view was refreshing and soothing.


The most beautiful lake I have ever seen in my life.


Chandratal, you are awesome beauty on earth, true sculpture by the creator, Almighty.


Hope the Pics express the view, uploading thr video soon.


Time lapse video shots are attached at the End...









There we started cliking the best of the shot, with mobile & DSLR, got the cam loaded to tripod, set up the bag as the counter weight as it was very windy out at the top. The Nikon remote was handy to click some good shots, both action and scenic ones with we three guys. Then after shooting each and every corner, we slowly took the way down.
Slowly we reached the steep side of the lake and rested to enjoy the view, where I sat down to enjoy the toffee I had in my pocket, where as my companion guys took a break to light the cigar.
Then we headed slowly to sandy side of the lake where earlier few families were enjoying the view.
We were delighted to get the whole lake to our own as every one else left leaving the lake for us to enjoy. We three plunged our hands in to the cold water to feel the same, keeping the cam in record mode.



Then after that we did some chit chat, and I started to shoot the interval shots in my cam to capture the cloud movement. Time lapse- very first try


I waited till 5.30 to get some nice shots in the evening sun, and we could meet some trekkers from shimla.


Slow retreat to the tent where the dinner was already in preparation, veg pulao, the smell was yummy enough.


We got to check the bikes, got some cold drinks and got back to the tent to gorge down the pulao.


The night sky was so calm & dark, but the wind was quite chilling. This time I did manage to get some nice long exposure shots and made some crazy light paintings of the tents with campers.


After the long shots, we had a nice sleep.






Time lapse video Watch in Full HD please...

it took me almost 45 minutes to capture this 12 second video...
Request all to enjoy the best quality @ 1080p resolution - its just 12 s

posting second video here- one one video per post
Tent & clouds at Chandratal -

another attempt to capture the clouds, this one is 21 sec video


Request all to enjoy the best quality @ 1080p resolution...




signing off now

awsome writeup biradar!!
u forgot to tell everyone that u got a new name in this ride... 'biradar'
was a wonderful experience riding with u...
and would love to ride with u in future
take care and ride safe

Great shots and awesome triplog, but why do I get a feeling I have read this entire triplog before ?

Ha ha ha ha, that too has been over 4 months I guess
Videos and Light paintings were just mind blowing, thoroughly enjoyed it

As some said earlier in this log, no matter how much you read and see about LEH , its never enough.
Awesome log Ashik and truly captivating pics.. Will watch the videos later in the day.
Waiting for more

Superb writeup and mindblowing images ashik.. Waiting for more..

Day5. Ride to reach Sarchu from Chandratal.

Thanks bro...Leh is never enough for any one..each moment, hour, day, week, and season is different there

Thanks Sarpanch G

Log rolls again






Day5. Ride to reach Sarchu from Chandratal.




a small worship place near the lake..


We all got up packed the tents and loaded the luggage on the bikes, warmed up the bulls too.


another light painting

the flame of the kerosene stove.

Bull doing a jogo bonita...

my expression waiting for the last bull after a insane stream crossing..

roads leading to Sarchu- the windy tented place of Leh Manali route...



Slowly the road conditions bettered and came to a smooth tarmac level and my speed poicked up graciously, so covered bharatpur before 7 and headed straight to Sarchu where I got the first view of tented settlement. Found a bunch of bulleteers in one such, but din stop there as I wanted to see the road sign Sarchu to make myself believe that I had reached Sarchu. This was a nice decision as I moved further forward about 5-6 kms, where I found few guys from Haryana was talking to get tented accommodation. So I too joined them to inquire about the same, as per info from one of em, headed straight to the tents right accrros, after the bridge and near to the sign board showing the distance to Leh and other places. The tent we ( myself and the 5 haryanvi guys) opted was the big one with 8 beds, pretty good deal for a bed charged at 150. We all got settled down and luggage taken inside the tent.
I came to know that 2 of the guys had trouble crossing the pass and had taken medical aid and o2 supply. I ushered them to hydrate themselves and few other tips I had got from my BMC training at HMI,Darjeeling. It was time to rest, so skipped dinner, took some glucose dose and slept.
The wind was heavy and at times I felt the tent would fly away.


Sign board at Sarchu

Super Images, the one with the coins and the figurine at the lake side was exceptional and the light paintings were mind blowing. I have read the log before but still captivated to it.

+1 for the pics. Managed to watch the videos as well... Nice work there I must say ...